Flames-Leafs trade analysis – Smart move by Darryl Sutter

Posted By
Adrian Dater
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January 31, 2010 @ 10:34 am
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Real quickly, weighing in on the blockbuster trade just now that sent Dion Phaneuf from Calgary to Toronto: what a steal for the Flames. Darryl Sutter might have just acquired a Stanley Cup. The Flames get rid of a guy who was having a bad year, who was wildly overpaid, for two good forwards and a defenseman – Ian White – who has more points than Phaneuf! (26-22).

Calgary’s chemistry is going to be a lot better now without Phaneuf. This was a home run deal by Darryl Sutter and the Calgary Flames. And bad news for the Avalanche.

*To expand further, later in the day: The Maple Leafs may indeed be the “winners” in this deal down the road. For Brian Burke to land a player of Phaneuf’s talents, it certainly might turn out that way. But for now, this is exactly what the Flames needed. They have four nice complementary players now, to go along with stars like Jarome Iginla, Jay Bouwmeester, Robyn Regehr and Miikka Kiprusoff. Now, maybe Bouwmeester can get untracked a little easier as a Flame, without a guy like Phaneuf taking some of his ice time/leadership role.

The fact is, Phaneuf hasn’t been as good a player since he signed a huge contract with Calgary a couple years ago. He’s got a combined 21 goals and a minus-8 from the start of last year to right now. This is the guy who was supposed to be the next Norris Trophy winner? The numbers sure haven’t added up to that.
But this could be the shock he needs to get his game back on track, in a new city.
I picked the Flames to win the Cup before the season and, while I started to doubt that pick the last couple months, this trade has me feeling better than ever about it.